What Apple’s iPad means for mobile gaming

Apple's spiffy new iPad device mean for gamers?

As with the rest of the world, we were all eyes focused on the Apple 27th event yesterday where Steve Jobs unveiled the new Apple iPad. With one of it's core pillar's being gaming and a positive reception by the press in general, what does Apples spiffy new device mean for gamers.

Right off the bat the iPad will run any game in the App Store. There is an option to play games in a smaller window (the same size as the iPhone) or to double the pixel count and play the game full screen. It must be noted that when playing full screen the resolution does not change and remains the same as if it were on the iPhone. The good news is that, today, Apple's launched their new SDK which will allow game makers the ability to create games that can take full advantage of the iPads larger screen size.

Whats under the iPad hood?

The iPad is powered by a 1Ghz Apple ARM A4 chip that was specifically designed by Apple to not only be powerful but energy efficient too. The iPad sports over 10 hours of operation time and up to one month standby time(why you would leave it on standby for a month is beyond us). It comes with WiFi 802.11n and Bluetooth connectivity, while the higher end model includes wireless 3G, it has an accelerometer and a multi-touch screen 9.7 inches across with a resolution of 1024x768. The storage space ranges from 16GB to 64GB of flash memory depending on the model.

But what does all this mean for gamers?

With no shortage in the processing department it means that developers are free to create games that are more complex than what we are used to on the iPhone or any mobile gaming device. Games will have better graphics with a higher resolution and have the capability to render more complex physics and simulations.

The larger screen means that games will be more engaging, boosting the level of immersion for gamers on the go. Controls can be improved and made easier to use, in some cases they can be expanded to allow the gamer a higher level of detail in control. A larger screen also opens up the possibilities for games that are more touch driven like Ellis and Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor and allow them an easier, less confined control scheme.

Bluetooth connectivity provides the opportunity to to use the iPad as a controller for games running on consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. The iPad's new SDK provides for the ability for video out and the possibility to use a TV as primary or secondary screen. Developers could design games that display the main content on a much larger screen while using the iPad's screen as a controller, pushing that boundary ever closer to a true "Minority Report" type experience.

WiFi connectivity will allow a group of lucky iPad owners to get together and slog it out in games that will not only look better but run a lot smoother than they did on the iPhone. The iPad has somewhat closed the gap from hindered mobile gaming devices, toward desktop PC gaming.

The accelerometer, combined with a larger screen will make tilt based games more fun while at the same time increasing the chances of the gamer hurling his last meal all over his iPad. We are not sure if this is a good or bad thing yet.

What we don't like about the new iPad

The name "iPad". Imagine a group of gamers all speaking about their "Pads": "Hey Larry, don't forget to bring your pad to the meet up today" or "Honey, I didn't mean that I needed those Pads"

It's not a widescreen. The iPad has a 4:3 screen which is not a widescreen that runs at 16:9. It's like going back to the CRT Tv's of old and makes for unpleasant movie viewing.

Lack of multitasking. When gaming we are sucked into our own world where nothing else matters but it would be nice to be able to run Safari or Skype in the background so that we can quickly view a guide or call up a mate and boast about our latest high score.

No tactile feedback. While we knew that a screen position specific vibrate was a long shot the iPad does not come with vibrate functionality at all. For those PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers that have become accustomed to the feedback their controllers give them, this will be a huge let down. It diminishes the overall immersion of the mobile gaming experience.

The Price: Weighing in at $499 for the lower end model to $829 for all the bells and whistles, it's a little on the pricey side when compared to other gaming devices like the PSP, DS, PS3 and 360.

Our iPad Conclusion

We give the iPad the thumbs up as a mobile gaming device. Heavy hitters like EA and Gamerloft are already working on new iPad specific titles like Need for Speed: Shift and we think that this trend will spread across the board. Also, because of the relatively low barrier of entry to iPad game development, we think that it'll lead to growth in indie game development which in turn will bring us ever more exciting games.

It's only 0.5 inches this and weighs just under 0.7KGs with a 9.7 inch screen which is a whole lot better than what is currently available in the mobile gaming device space and although the price is high, we still think it's going command a huge following from gamers.

Tell us what you think of Apple's new iPad.

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